Professional Industrial Labour Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Explain what is certification?

Certification is the process whereby the Labour and Employment Board designates a trade union as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for a group of employees, referred to as a bargaining unit, following proof that the bargaining agent has majority support among the employees in the bargaining unit.

2. Tell us can amendments be made to a collective agreement?

Yes, revisions of any provision in the agreement, other than a provision relating to the term of the agreement's operation, may be made at any time with mutual consent of the parties.

3. Tell me what is voluntary recognition?

Voluntary recognition is where a trade union acquires the status of exclusive bargaining agent for a group of employees in a defined bargaining unit because an employer voluntarily agrees to recognize it as such.

4. Tell me how do unions get bargaining rights?

There are two methods of gaining bargaining rights. The first is certification and the second is voluntary recognition.

5. Explain what is interest arbitration?

Referred to as "Collective Agreement" arbitration it occurs where the parties cannot agree to the terms and conditions of a proposed collective agreement. Interest arbitration may be voluntary or compulsory. (In New Brunswick, it is compulsory for firefighters and police officers, voluntary for all other groups of employees).

6. Tell me what do you mean by Industrial dispute?

Industrial dispute can be defined as conflict between management and workers regarding payments or conditions related to work.

7. Explain what is rights arbitration?

Referred to as "Grievance" arbitration it occurs where a difference arises between the parties relative to the interpretation, application or to the administration a collective agreement.

8. Suppose what if no agreement is reached during the conciliation process?

If no agreement can be reached by the parties, they may agree to submit their differences to binding arbitration (firefighters and police officers must proceed in this fashion) or they may, after 9 days from the date the conciliation board report is filed, engage in a strike or lock-out.

9. Explain Indian labour market?

Indian labour market can be mainly classified into 3 categories:

i.) Rural workers
ii.) Organized
iii.) Unorganized

10. Tell us can there be a strike or lock-out during the term of the collective agreement?

No, there can be no strike or lock-out during the term of a collective agreement.